Foot shield



W J. J. BOUGHEY FOOT SHIELD Filed June 1'7, 1946 I v hue/Z251" PatentedSept. 26, 1950 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE FOOT SHIELD I Jeremiah JosephBoughey, Chicago, 111., assignor V of one-third to J. Roy Abell,Evanston, and onethird to George E. Semple, Park Ridge, Ill.

Application June 17, 1946, Serial No. 677,127

13 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in foot shields and it consistsof the matters hereinafter described and more particularly pointed outin the appended claims. The invention is especially concerned with ashield, adapted for use upon a workmans shoe to protect the instep partof his foot between the ankle and toes from injury due to objects whichmay fall or otherwise engage thereon.

One of the objects of the invention is to pro- -yide a shield for thispurpose, which will allow a free natural use of the foot withouthindrance .or interference to walking and will, at the same ;ti m e,protect the instep part of the foot against injury should heavy objectsengage the same.

Another object of the invention is to provide a gshield for thispurpose, which includes a shield [body that may be quickly applied toand removed from the remainder of the shield which is detachably appliedto the heel of the shoe, in a ,,manner to be worn thereon between usesof the Also, it is an object of the invention to pro- 1vide in a shieldof this kind means with which a :shoe in no way interferes with thewalking the wvearermaybe required to do.

Furthermore, it is an object of the invention i120 provide a foot shieldwhich is of a simple light weight construction for low cost production,and which is .strong and rigid for long wear use without warping,twisting out of shape, or breaking.

Again, it is an object of the invention to provide a shield for thispurpose that includes a support for attachment to the heel of the shoeand with which the shield body may be detachably engaged in a mannerpermitting that relative movement between the support and shield bodyproduced by the flexing of the foot when walking while wearing theshield.

The above mentioned objects of the invention, as well as others,together with the advan- Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view through a 2part of the improved shield as taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a perspective View of a certain U- shaped clip or memberembodied in the foot shield and which will be more fully mentioned.

Fig. 5 is a plan View of a certain member embodied in the shield forcausing a pressure engagement with the front of the heel of a workmansshoe, to which the shield is applied and which will be more fullyreferred to later.

In general the improved shield includes a shield body formed to cover,from above, that part of the workmans shoe enclosing the instep of thefoot and a means which may be detachably connected or secured to theheel of the shoe and with which the shield body may be detachablyengaged for use without hindrance to walking. The shield includes ashell-like body formed of stiff rigid material, such as a pressed sheetmetal, strong fibre-like material, plastic or the like. The meansmentioned includes a bracket-like clip adapted to extend across the shoesole in the shank space in front of the heel and connected to uprightarms on said clip is a U-shaped rigid band that encompasses the sidesand the back of the heel. In connection with said band the clip carriesa resilient device for a pressure engagement against the front of theheel to coact with the band in holding the said means in operativeposition upon the shoe. The shield body and the arms above mentioned areformed with coacting stud and slot parts whereby the body may be quicklyand easily applied and removed. The parts so function as to permitresponsive movement of the shield body, without displaceerally U-shapecross section and includes a top central portion I2 and side portionsl3-l3, the lower rear end part of each of which includes an inwardlyextending relatively short stud IA. The shield body has the greatestdepth at its rear end so as to cover that part of the instep forward ofthe ankle, and has the least depth at its front end and which is adaptedto overlap and engage upon the hard so-called safety toe of the shoe,which includes a stiff box cap l5.

Associated with the shield body is means adapted for attachment to theshoe and worn therewith and to which the shield body may be detachablyengaged without the use of tools or other devices. Said means includes agenerally U-shape bracket or clip I6, which is best shown in perspectivein Fig. 4. It is of a length approximating, but slightly greater than,the width of the sole I! of the associated shoe I I at the shank underthe instep and just forward of the heel I8 of the shoe. This clipincludes a fiat body I9 having an upstanding arm 20 at each end and ineach arm is a slot-like recess 2| that opens through the upper top frontend portion of the associated arm. This recess, which has a widthapproximating the diameter of an associated stud I4 of the body II], hasa slight reverse curvature in its length.

22 indicates a rigid band of a generally U-shape that 'is intended toencompass the sides and the back of the heel I8 and the front end of theside arms 23 thereof engage and are fixed rigidly to the inner face ofthe arms '20 of the associated clip so that the bottom edge of saidband'is spaced slightly above the top surface of the part I9 of the saidclip, as is best shown in Fig. 3.

The central part of the body I9 of the clip is provided with anupstanding ear 24 preferably formed by a punched out upturned part ofsaid body, as best shown in Fig. 4. Centrally in said "ear is an opening25, through which is adapted topass the'threaded shank '26 of aresilient member 21 which best appears in Fig. 5. This member 21 is inthe form of asubstantially U-shape leaf spring that includes a centralportion 28 to which the stud 26 is fixed "at one end, and curved arm endparts'29 adapted for a pressure engagement withthe front face of theheel I8.

When the member 21 is assembled in place the threaded shank 26 extendsthrough the hole 25 in'the ear 24 and nuts 30 are engaged on said shankon each side of said shoulder. At this time the bottom edge of themember 21 engages on the top surface of the member I9. By manipulationof the nuts 30, said shank '26 may be adjusted forwardly or rearwardlyso as to provide such pressure engagement of'the member 21 with thefront of the heel as'to retain the bracket or clip It as a whole inproper position on the'heel. 'When in proper position, the bottomsurface of "the body I9 is preferably spaced slightly above the plane ofthe bottom of the heel I8 so as-to accommodate the wearing down of theheel and -so that no part of said body I9 will engage upon the surfacewalked upon.

After the member I6 has been attached to the shoe by the meansdescribed,and theishoe II is upon the 'wearers foot, the shield body,with its rear end directed somewhat downwardly, is so engaged over theinstep of the shoe that the studs I4 enter the top end of the slots 2Iand find their way to the bottom end thereof. Whenthe shield body is inplace, its front end rests upon the safety toe of the shoe and its rearend is supported by the arms 20-40.

When the shoe flexes in walking, the shield body moves to accommodatethe same by pivoting upon the studs I4 and by slightly sliding forwardlyand rearwardly on the safety toe. If it is desired to remove theBy'means' of the threaded shank 26, the member 21 may be adjusted to fitthe heel of any size shoe and to so press against the front thereof asto hold the member IS in proper position thereon and against accidentaldisplacement therefrom.

With the foot shield in position, the wearer can walk and use the footin a normal or natural manner, without hindrance or interference.

Objects, material, equipment or other things which strike the shieldbody will primarily cause the shield body to transfer the force of theblow to the rear lugs I4 and thence to the arms 20 of the member I6. Inthe event of a blow of great magnitude there might be an actualdisplacement of the bracket or clip I6 downwardly until the bottom sideof portion l9 thereof comes into actual contact with the floor, whichthen would act to limit further movement. There is sufficieht spacebetween the inner surface of the shield body and the shoe to permit thedescribed movement without causing engagement of the shield body withthat part of the shoe with which it is normally not engaged.

The force of the blow on the shield body will be absorbed in part at thefront by the bearing surface against the hard cap I5 of the safety shoe.

With the blow absorbed in the manner described, the remainder of theshield body will remain above and out of contact withthe shoe and footwhich it covers, supporting or deflecting the object, materialequipmentor other thing, thereby affording protection against injury to thatpartof the foot.

The facility with which the user may walk about, encourages the use bythe workmen of the safety shield. Becauseof the ease with'which theshield body maybe removed and applied,ithe workman may, if he sodesires, quickly remove the shield body in case he is to spend anyconsiderable time in non-dangerous activity, such 'for example aswalking a considerable distance during the lunch hour.

While in describing the invention I have referred in detail to the formand arrangement of the parts thereof, the same'is to be considered onlyin-the illustrative sense and therefore I 'do not wish to be limitedthereto except as maybe specifically set forth in the appended claims;

'I claim as my invention:

1. 'A foot shield embodying thereinashell-like -b0dy adapted to fit overat least the'in'step of a shoe, means including-a member adapted toextend-transversely 0f the sole of the shoe at the front -of the heelthereof andhaving an arm at each end thereof extending upwardly to bevpositioned at each side of the shoe, said arms and said body havingcoacting parts whereby .said

body may be detachablyconnected to said arms tend transversely of the'sole of. the shoe .atiLthe front or the heel thereof and :having an.arm; at each end thereof extending .upwardlyxto be positioned at eachsidesof the shoe, said :a'rms and '"said body'having coacting;- partswhereby said body may be detachably connected tosaidrarms in 1 bperative.pdsition; aupon i the shoe, a 1 J-rigid U-shaped band having ends fixedto said member and having parts for encompassing the sides and the backof said heel, and resilient means also carried by said member andadapted for pressure engagement with the front of said heel to coactwith said band in holding said means in operative position upon th shoe.7

3. A foot shield embodying therein a shell-like body adapted to fit overat least the instep of a shoe, means including a member adapted toextend transversel of the sole of the shoe-at the front of the heelthereof and having an arm at each end thereof extending upwardly to bepositioned at each side of the shoe, said arms and said body havingcoacting parts whereby said body may be detachably connected to saidarms in operative position upon the shoe, means carried by saidfirst-mentioned means forencompassing the sides and the back of saidheel, resilient means adapted for pressure engagement with the front ofsaid heel to coact with said second-mentioned means in holding saidfirst-mentioned means in operative position upon the shoe, and means formounting said resilient means on said member for adjustment toward andaway from the front of the heel.

- '4. A foot shield embodying therein a shell-like body adapted to fitover at least the instep of a shoe, means including a member adapted toextend transversely of the sole of the shoe to the front of the heelthereof and having an arm at each end thereof extending upwardly to beposi-. tioned at each side of the shoe, said arms and said body havingcoacting parts whereby said body may be detachably connected to saidarms in operative position upon the shoe, means carried by saidfirst-mentioned means for encompassing the sides and the back of saidheel, and spring means mounted on said member and including laterallyspaced arms for pressure engagement with the front of said heel to coactwith said second-mentioned means in holding the first-mentioned means inoperative position upon the shoe.

5. A foot shield embodying therein a shell-like body adapted to fit overat least the instep of a shoe, means including a member adapted toextend transversely of the sole of the shoe at the front of the heelthereof and having an arm at each end thereof extending upwardly to bepositioned at each side of the shoe, said arms and said body havingcoacting parts whereby said body may be detachably connected to saidarms in operative position upon the shoe, means carried by saidfirst-mentioned means for encompassing the sides and the back of saidheel, an ear on said member, spring means including laterally spacedarms for pressure engagement with the front of the heel to coact withsaid secondmentioned means in holding the first-mentioned means inoperative position upon the shoe, and a supporting member for saidspring means so engaged with said ear as to be operative for adjustingthe position of said spring means with respect to the front of saidheel.

6. A foot shield embodying therein a shell-like body adapted to fit overat least the instep of a shoe, means including a member adapted toextend transversely of the sole of the shoe at the front of the heelthereof and having an arm at each end thereof extending upwardly to bepositioned at each side of the shoe, said arm and said body havingcoacting parts whereby said body may be detachably connected to saidarms in operative position upon the shoe, means carried by saidfirst-mentioned means for encompassing the sides and the back of saidheel, an ear on said member, a leaf spring of substantially a U-shapehaving a central portion and end arm portions for engagement with thefront of the heel to coact with the said second-mentionedmeans inholding the first-mentioned means in operative position upon the shoe,and a shank operatively attached to said central portion and extendingthrough said ear for engagement therewith whereby said leaf spring ma beadjusted into a position toward or away from the front of the heel.

7. A foot shield embodying therein a shell-like body adapted to fit overat least a part of the instep of a shoe, means including a memberadapted to extend transversely of the sole of the shoe at the front ofthe heel thereof and having an arm at each end thereof extending to bepositioned upwardly at each side of the shoe, said arms and said bodyhaving coacting parts whereby said body may be detachably connected tosaid arms in operative position upon said shoe, a rigid U-shaped bandhaving ends fixed each to one of said arms of said member and havingparts for encompassing the sides and the back of said heel, andresilient means also carried by said member and adapted for pressureengagement with the front of said heel to coact with said band inholding said means in operative position upon the shoe.

8. A foot shield embodying therein a shell-like body adapted to fit overat least the instep of a shoe, means adapted for attachment to the heelof said shoe and including upwardly directed arms for arrangement withside parts of the shoe forwardly of the heel thereof, said shell-likebody including side portions, rear end parts of which are disposedadjacent said arms, said arms and said end parts of said side portionsof the shelllike body having an interengaging stud and slot arrangementwhereby the shell-like body may be detachably connected to said arms.

9. A foot shield embodying therein a shell-like body adapted to fit overat least the instep of a. shoe, means adapted for attachment to the heelof said shoe and including upwardly directed arms for arrangement withside parts of the shoe. forwardly of the heel thereof, said armshavingupwardly and forwardly opening recesses there in, said shell-likebody including side portions, rear end parts of which include lateralstuds for engagement in said recess and whereby the shelllike body maybe detachably connected to said arms.

10. A foot shield embodying therein an openbottomed shell-like bodymember adapted to fit over at least the instep of a shoe and to have aforward portion of its underside in supporting engagement with the capof a safety shoe, means adapted for attachment to the heel of a shoe andhaving upstanding portions adapted for .positioning adjacent the forwardpart of the heel of the shoe to which the same is attached, saidshell-like body member and said means having coacting parts whereby theshell-like body member may be connected to said means in a mannerpermitting movement of the shell-like body member in response to theflexing movement of the shoe to which it is applied, said coacting partsbeing formed and adapted to permit ready separation of the shell-likebody member as a whole from said means, without disturbing theattachment of said means to the heel of the shoe.

11. A foot shield embodying therein an openbottomed shell-like bodymember adapted to fit 7 over at ie'ast the instep of a shee and to have'a forward portion of its underside in supporting engagement with thecap of a safety shoe, means adapted for attachment to the rear part ofthe shoe below the upper portion, said means including a transverseportion adapted to be positioned under the shank of a shoe and havingupstanding portions adapted to be positioned at opposite sides of theshoe, said shell-like body member and the upstanding portions of saidmeans having coacting parts whereby the shell-like body member may beconnected to said means in a manner permitting movement of theshell-like body member in response to the flexing movement of the shoeto which it is applied, said coacting .parts being formed and adapted topermit ready separation of the 'shell like body mem her as a whole fromsaid means without disturbing the attachment of said means to the shoe.

12. In combination with a shoe having a safety cap at the toe, a memberafiixed to the-shoe rearwardly of the toe, a shield member covering theinstep of the shoe and having the inner surface of one end thereofdisposed in direct but sliding bearing engagement upon the safety capportion of the shoe and bearing atthe other end in said member affixedto the shoe rearwardly of the toe to hold said other end of the shieldmember spaced above that vpart of the shoe beneath the same.

13. In combination with a shoe having a safety toe, a shell-like bodyfitting over the instep of the shoe and having its front end portion indirect but sliding bearing engagement upon said safety toe, meansextending transversely of the sole at the front of the heel of the shoe,coacting means on the rear end of the sides of the said body and on saidtransversely extending means providing a detachable connectiontherebetween and supporting the rear end of said body in a positionspaced above the instep of the shoe, a member encompassing a part of theshoe rearwardly of said transversely extending means, and resilientmeans operatively engaged with said transversely extending means andoperating therethrough for drawing said member encompassing said part ofthe shoe forwardly thereof, said resilient means being capable ofyielding to permit a downward movement of said transversely extendingmeans so that it may engage the supporting surface for the shoe underthe impact of an imposed weight upon the shell-like body whilepreventing the rear end of said body from engaging said instep for theshoe.

JEREMIAH JOSEPH BOUGHEY.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record .in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,952,294 Strauss Mar. 27, 1934Re. 22,614 Roberts Mar. 6, 1945

